Thousands march in Detroit for social justice

Thousands gathered here on June 22 at the place where Martin Luther King Jr. had begun his June 1963 “I Have a Dream” march. They marched to Cobo Hall for the start of the second U.S. Social Forum.

“I was very impressed with the young people who came here for the opening demonstration,” said Abayomi Azikiwe of the Detroit Moratorium NOW! Coalition. “We see this event as a great opportunity for outreach and networking among activists throughout the U.S.

“Detroit is the epicenter of the economic crisis and consequently it should also be the springboard for the emerging fight-back against the ravages of capitalism and racism.”

Participants came from across the U.S. and around the world to address social and economic justice issues at this historic conference. As marchers made their way down Woodward Avenue, they passed numerous vacant lots and abandoned buildings — glaring evidence of the devastation that has hit this working-class city.

A popular chant that rang out from the multi-national, multi-generational crowd was, “Banks got bailed out, the people got sold out!”

Contingents included several groups with placards and banners in support of immigrant rights and against the racist, apartheid Arizona law SB1070, which was passed in April. They also opposed the Schumer bill, now before Congress, that would also set back the struggle.

WW photos: Betsey Piette & Bryan G. Pfeifer

Others marched for environmental justice, single-payer health care reform, LGBT rights, disabled rights, and in solidarity with political prisoners including Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Cuban Five and Troy Davis.

An anti-racist, anti-capitalist theme was clear throughout the march, with banners contrasting the billions of dollars spent on war to the growing crisis of cuts in social programs spreading across the U.S.

The Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice carried a banner calling for a moratorium against plant closings, layoffs, school closings, utility shutoffs and evictions. Several workshops on the struggles of Detroit workers and oppressed to save their city will be held by the Moratorium NOW! Coalition during the Social Forum, as well as a demonstration on June 25 against Chase Bank.

Workers World Party had a strong presence. Members wore bright yellow T-shirts emblazoned with an image of Che Guevara and the declaration “Fight For Socialism.” They hoisted banners declaring “Abolish racism, capitalism — Fight for socialism.”

The youth and student organization Fight Imperialism, Stand Together had a militant contingent with members wearing bright red T-shirts and carrying banners and placards. There were many other youth contingents raising numerous issues.

Giant paper maché puppets in images of Indigenous, civil rights and labor activists — including Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker and Cesar Chavez — were carried the length of the three-mile march.

An opening ceremony to kick off the 2010 U.S. Social Forum will take place at Cobo Hall following the march. It will usher in an intense four days, with more than a thousand workshops scheduled plus people’s movement assemblies and other demonstrations.